The nine Technology Centres based in the Region of Murcia have drawn up a report that highlights the importance of their activity as the main agents in the field of business innovation, with a turnover in 2020 of more than 13 million euros, multiplying by 3.51 the ERDF funds they receive from the Instituto de Fomento, for the development of projects that involve the generation of knowledge applicable to companies.
In 2020, the centres have 257 R&D&I projects in which 91 companies have been involved, 307 advanced training programmes and 241 employees.
An amount that amounts to 3,700,000 euros, that is, for every euro that the CARM government allocates to business innovation, the Technology Centres manage to multiply these funds by the aforementioned 3.51, which demonstrates the dynamism of these agents in the field of attracting funds for business innovation.
It should be remembered that INFO is the public agency for economic development of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, whose purpose is to promote and develop the business fabric by stimulating the competitiveness, innovation and productivity of regional companies, especially SMEs, so that they generate quality and stable employment.
In relation to the associated companies, and according to the report, at the end of the financial year 2020 these centres have a census of 684 companies, increasing the number of customers by 1,822.
257 R&D&I projects, 91 companies involved in 2020, 307 advanced training programmes
The report shows that a total of 257 R&D&I projects were carried out last year, involving 91 companies that requested these research studies for their companies. The information specifies which ones were carried out for the acquisition of knowledge with own funds and which ones were financed under a contract with the companies.
As for the public funding received, according to the document, 96.5% comes from competitive calls in which the Technology Centres compete for funds with other organisations, institutions and companies. This is just a demonstration of the high degree of competitiveness of these organisations, which bring to the Region of Murcia numerous funds for the development of innovative projects that have a direct impact on the productive fabric of the Region.
The report also refers to another of the fundamental functions of these research, development and innovation sites, which is advanced technological training, particularly that aimed at retraining the human resources of companies, where a total of 307 training programmes with 18,121 teaching hours were carried out in the 2020 period, benefiting 2,682 students.
A staff of 214 people and 27 indirect jobs.
Set up as private, non-profit research business associations, they are the real R&D&I departments of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as regular collaborators of large international companies.
For years, the Technology Centres have played a fundamental role as technology and innovation agoras in the Region of Murcia. Their existence has provided a meeting point for regional companies, giving rise to a multitude of opportunities and initiatives that have led to a clear advance in their competitiveness in the field of research. The network of Technological Centres is made up of: Footwear and Plastics TC, Marble and Stone TC, Furniture and Wood TC, National Canning and Food TC, Metal TC, Energy and Environment TC, Construction TC, Naval and Sea TC and ICT TC.
The document drawn up by the Technology Centres highlights the importance of the human team that gives life and provides added value to these associations, with a staff of 241 people, of which 125 are university graduates and 34 are PhDs; the rest of the staff are mid-level graduates.
